RIYADH– Riyadh Air (RX) has officially taken delivery of its first two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, marking a major milestone ahead of the Saudi startup carrier’s commercial launch next month.
The aircraft departed Boeing facilities in the United States on June 4 and are now heading to Riyadh, where they will become the first aircraft in the airline’s permanent operating fleet.
The delivery comes several months later than originally expected, reflecting broader production challenges affecting Boeing and additional cabin completion work.
Despite the delays, the arrival of the two aircraft gives Riyadh Air a crucial boost as it prepares to launch scheduled passenger flights from Riyadh to London Heathrow (LHR) on July 1.
Riyadh Air New Boeing 787 Deliveries
The first aircraft, registered HZ-RXAA, departed Boeing’s Charleston production facility in South Carolina. The second aircraft, HZ-RXAB, left Paine Field (PAE) in Washington State shortly beforehand, with both jets making their way toward Saudi Arabia on coordinated ferry flights.
These deliveries represent the first Boeing 787-9 aircraft built specifically for Riyadh Air. While the airline has already operated a leased Dreamliner for proving flights and operational readiness programs, the newly delivered aircraft form the foundation of its long-term fleet strategy.
Riyadh Air Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas described the Dreamliner as the cornerstone of the airline’s future global network, Simple Flying flagged.
The carrier plans to use the aircraft to connect Saudi Arabia with major international markets across Europe, Asia, and eventually North America.
Riyadh’s Fleet Expansion Plans
Riyadh Air placed its initial Dreamliner order shortly after its launch in 2023, committing to up to 72 Boeing 787 aircraft. The agreement includes 39 firm orders and options for an additional 33 jets, making it one of the largest startup airline aircraft commitments in recent years.
The airline has since expanded its fleet strategy with orders for up to 60 Airbus A321neo family aircraft and up to 50 Airbus A350-1000s.
Together, these aircraft will support a mix of domestic, regional, and long-haul international operations.
Several additional Dreamliners are already progressing through Boeing’s production and delivery pipeline. Aircraft registered HZ-RXAC, HZ-RXAD, and HZ-RXAE have completed various stages of flight testing and customer acceptance procedures, positioning them for future deliveries in the coming months.
Network Launch Lies Ahead for Riyadh
The arrival of the first two Dreamliners comes just weeks before Riyadh Air launches its first commercial route.
The airline has confirmed that London Heathrow will become its inaugural destination, with ticket sales already underway.
Following the London launch, Riyadh Air is expected to expand its network to key destinations including Jeddah (JED), Dubai (DXB), Cairo (CAI), Manchester (MAN), and Madrid (MAD). These routes are intended to establish a balanced network spanning domestic, regional, and European markets.
The airline is also laying the groundwork for future services to the United States after applying for operating authority from American regulators.
For now, however, the focus remains on successfully introducing its first scheduled flights and integrating its newly delivered Boeing 787-9 fleet into commercial service.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
